Disturbing video of man being beaten, charred to death over "love jihad" in Rajasthan goes viral

In a shocking incident, a Muslim labourer from West Bengal was hacked to death with an axe and later set afire allegedly for committing “love jihad” in Rajsamand, Rajasthan. A video, which is believed to be of the incident, has gone viral on social media.

In the video, the accused is seen repeatedly hacking a man with an axe while he begged for mercy. The victim was later set on fire. The accused, who has been identified as Shambhulal Regar, also made threats to anyone who commits “love jihad” while standing next to the burning body. In a series of videos, Regar can also be heard making explosive communal statements against Islam. Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed to News18 that Regar has been arrested.

The victim has been identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a 48-year-old Muslim labourer from West Bengal’s Malda, as per an Indian Express report.

According to a Times of India report, the police on Wednesday, December 6, located a half-charred body close to a hotel in Rajsamand. The report also confirmed that the body is that of the victim from the viral video.

As per an India Today report, the police also found the murder weapon, as seen in the video, next to the body.

While speaking to The Indian Express, Additional Director-General of Police, crime, Pankaj Kumar Singh said, “During preliminary investigations, we have come to know that one of the videos in which Regar makes the inflammatory statements was shot in a local temple a little while after he murdered Afrazul.”

SHO Meena told The Indian Express, “Afrazul worked at Rajsamand as a labourer and his family also lives here. The motive of the murder is not clear. We will know that only after we apprehend Regar. Multiple police teams are searching for him.”

The Rajnagar police have registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearing of evidence).